Portuguese Speaking Community

Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima

           Construction commenced on this, the seventh shrine at Ta Pinu Marian Centre, dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, with the pouring of the concrete foundation on the 17^th May 2008. On the 25^th May 2008, as part of the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Ta Pinu, Bishop Dennis Connors, together with the Portuguese Community of Victoria celebrated Mass at the Marian Centre, to raise funds for the construction of this new Shrine. To the delight of many, the construction of the Shrine was completed before schedule, on the 7^th June 2008, This was followed by the installation of the bell in the Shrine's steeple on the 13^th September 2008. After much anticipation, the Inauguration and Blessing of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima eventuated on the 12^th October 2008. The celebration commenced at 9:30am with the Holy Rosary being recited in Portuguese on the steps of the Shrine. Following this, he Portuguese Community of Victoria welcomed Bishop Christopher Prowse, the Auxiliary Bishop in the Western Region of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, who was accompanied by Fr Jose Gzadalupe Hermendes and a number of other priests. The Bishop blessed the Shrine and then lead the procession of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima from the Shrine, up the hill, to the Our Lady of Ta Pinu Marian Centre Chapel. Following, the Bishop then conducted the concelebrated Mass in both Portuguese and in English. Afterwards, a speech was delivered by the High Commissioner of Portugal to Melbourne, to show his gratitude towards the Portuguese Community of Victoria in funding the construction of this Shrine. The celebration ended with a procession of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima from the Our Lady of Ta Pinu Marian Centre Chapel, back to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. The day's proceedings concluded with a get together of all those in attendance, which was estimated to be at well over 500. It was recently decided that Mass will be celebrated at 2:00pm by the Portuguese Community of Victoria, in the months which comprise of 5 Sundays, on the 5^th Sunday of each of these months.

 This page was last updated in July 2011   

  © 2011 Christopher DeBrincat